subscribe

Pages

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sunday, April 26, 2009

You Wrecks history buffs know that my friend Abby was the one who first e-mailed me the "cake that started it all", thereby indirectly inspiring this entire blog. Abby is also the mother of Sweet Baby James, who spent 482 days spreading joy on this globe before leaving us last August. Since today would have been James' 2nd birthday, Abby asked me if she might share his first and only birthday cake here on Sunday Sweets. Knowing how awesome you guys are, I figured you'd be willing to indulge us. So, without further ado, here's Abby.

My son James lived in the hospital for the first 135 days of his life, and I couldn't wait to take him home like a real mom and show him off! However, the day before he was discharged, my dreams of a big "welcome home" party were dashed. The docs said we had to keep him away from crowds for two more months in order to protect him from germs.

So by the time we got to James' first birthday and he was more stable, we were really ready to party! Not only would it be a chance to celebrate his life with all his friends and fans, but it was a huge milestone for a special needs kid who statistically should not have survived to be born. We invited nurses, doctors, therapists, neighbors, church friends, and everyone else who read James' blog (Sweet Baby James), and commissioned a friend who was thinking about starting a cake business to make a birthday cake to feed 100 guests.

Here's the spread:

As you can see we chose an African safari theme, to match James' nursery. Our friend started working on the design over a month in advance, sending us photos of her progress along the way. The animals were painstakingly crafted out of chocolate and were very fragile, but completely yummy. Each one had a perfect smile!

The cakes were covered with buttercream frosting - no fondant - and each was a different flavor and filling. The baker's husband custom built and painted the matching cake stand, and they even found a matching "first birthday" photo frame to sit inside it. What a dream for our son's big day!

Then there were chocolate cupcakes with more animal designs to cover us if we had more people than we estimated. These were a big hit with the children when we took the leftover cake to the Ronald McDonald House the next day!

When I asked her to make James a "smash cake," the baker was concerned about his diabetes being affected by the frosting. I told her that if James actually consumed any cake, I would probably die of joy. (At that time James' arms were too weak to "smash" anything, and he was so unused to eating food by mouth anyway [he had a stomach feeding tube] that he probably wouldn't know what to do with the cake!)

Sure enough, when it came time for the smash cake James just looked puzzled. We finally guided his finger to poke the cake a little and put a crumb or two in his mouth. He seemed to really enjoy the little taste he got!

Everyone agreed that James couldn't have had a more perfect birthday cake. As it turns out, he would never need another one, so we are very thankful for this labor of love. And in case any of you were thinking of contacting my friend to order your own professional masterpiece, I have to disappoint you. A month after James' party, she moved on from cake decorating and launched a humor blog for a somewhat larger audience—but it couldn't be a more grateful one than us.

Many thanks to Abby for sharing with us today. If you'd like to learn more about James and his story, you can visit his blog here.

UPDATE: Abby and her hubby John are indeed reading all of your comments! She asked that I post this word of thanks on their behalf:

To Jen & the Wreckers: It's been amazing (again) to experience such an outpouring of love from strangers. Thanks so much for making our first birthday without James really special for us through your kind words, prayers, and thoughts. It's been incredibly encouraging and comforting for us and the grandparents to know that James is remembered and appreciated as the wonderful kid that he was and is.

wow! thats a really cute and great cake, with a touching story to go with it. it makes me sad that some people have to leave the world so early, or some have to live through it with all kinds of health issues........

WOW!!!! an amazing cake for an amazing boy!!!! Thanks for sharing it!! And for sharing your journey - you will never know some of the lives your story has touched!I pray that as you celebrate the day of his birth, your heart will be comforted by peace that passes understanding!!!!Blessings from Colorado!!!!

This cake is simply beautiful! You can tell how much care, effort (and love!) the baker put into it. James was a very lucky baby to have such incredibly parents and such wonderful friends that cared about him.

And Jen -- did you make that cake? Cause if you did -- massive kudos to you.

Abby, your son was beautiful and a joy to behold. I am so sorry you lost him. I am so glad your friend started her wonderful blog ;-) but wow, she is a fantastic cake decorator too....It's always good to have a back-up career plan. :)

I always come here to laugh. Right now I'm sitting here with tears running down my face. I've read this blog almost since the beginning, but this is my first post. My own James just ran up to me, smiling, wondering why Mommy is crying. He, too, is a special needs kid who's been through hospitals and surgery and therapy. I gave him a huge hug. He squirmed until I put him down. He doesn't understand what I'm thinking right now. That's OK. I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds like your James will live on in a lot of memories ... including mine. And that's a beautiful cake. :-)

I'll never forget when I first found this blog and through it stumbled upon Sweet Baby James' story. I spent that ENTIRE day reading his story and it has touched my heart deeply. I teared up again reading this post, it is so wonderful that he had such a special first birthday and a great cake (Wow Jen!). Happy Birthday Sweet Baby James.

I read this blog while I'm eating breakfast and often I am in danger of choking and crying because I'm laughing so hard but I didn't expect to be tearing up for a different reason. That was lovely. Thank you Jen for sharing your friend's story. I'm glad you could bless her with such an amazing cake. Sweet baby James has the most beautiful eyes and I am sad to know he isn't with us anymore.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. The cakes were beautiful and I'm sure your sweet baby boy was a precious gift to many. I pray today you will find comfort in the love of family and friends.

*****

Btw Jen, any idea why I suddenly can't see some of the pictures? In this post I could see all but the last three and in the post before I couldn't see the middle picture. Same thing with the post before that. Just didn't have that problem before - and it's frustrating the heck out of me!

What a beautiful cake and what a sweet little boy. I know he gave/gives you so much joy. I scanned your blog chronicling the life of this precious little one. Thanks for posting the link. I am the aunt of a special needs child with lissencephaly (smooth-brain syndrome) who lived for 12 years (and died Christmas season 2005). He brought/brings so much joy to my family too. These children are such blessings.

My husband and I love your blog. I am sincerely touched this Sunday. Thank you for sharing this Sunday Sweet with us. What a sweet baby boy. I think today is a good day to play James Taylor all day in his honor.

I have recently starting making wedding and birthday cakes as a side hobby. I love it and despite the painstaking hours involved, I hold on to the idea that a beautiful cake is often more than a peice of caketo those receiving it. This story was incredibly touching. I don't think I'll ever make a cake again without thinking of sweet baby James.

This was lovely, but I shouldn't have read it at work. By then end, I couldn't hold back the tears, so I was doing little hickup breaths to try and not sob. My nephew also spent most of his first year in the hospital NICU. He still has many challenges and special needs, but every day he gets stronger. Because he can't eat a cake, we had never made one. This year, he is GETTING a cake. Thank you for reminding me to never take anyone for granted, and that it all life is an amazing gift, no matter how long or short.

I'm in tears now, but they're the kind that come from reading a truly moving tribute. James' birthday cakes were gorgeous and I'm sure he is grateful to have had such a loving family and friends to honor him so much. *hugs* to Abby and Jen for sharing their memories of someone so special with us.

Like so many of SweetBabyJames' family and friends, on his birthday we are joyfully and tearfully remembering his too-short time with us on Earth. We were blessed by his presence, and continue to be amazed and uplifted by the love and support from so many people who have shared their comments. Thank you all. Grandpa and Grandpa Warren in Tallahassee

Every morning I come on here to look at whatever might cause me laugh throughout the day and today I cant stop crying. This was is a great post but so heartbreaking. He looked so happy and that only made me cry more.

I've been reading this blog for a long time and read all about Sweet Baby James when he passed. And I never post, but I wanted to comment on what a loving tribute this was. We can see what a labor of love you put into making those cakes for that sweet, sweet boy. Thank you for sharing on what would have been James' 2nd birthday. His story is an inspiration. (and I'm totally in tears...)

I came across James' blog right after my great-niece was born and diagnosed with semi-lobar HPE. These sweet babies are absolute angels. What a wonderful tribute to James and the happiness & love he brought into the world.

What a handsome guy James is! And that smile, and those huge blue-blue eyes you could just fall into. He's a person I wish I could have gotten to know. But even though he's gone, he's still made *my* life a little better by knowing about him. Thank you.

This may sound funny, but I'm well known among my friends as "not a fan of children," but even *I* find James absolutely adorable and beautiful! That last picture shows a boy with so much spirit in his eyes - you can see how very much he was loved.

I am SO very sorry his time with you was so short, but it sounds like you made the most of the time you had with him - both for yourself and, more importantly, for him.

Oh, and the cakes are adorable, too :)

Thank you for sharing that with us, I don't know if you have or want any other children, but if you do, you can be sure some of James' spirit will carry over to them - and if not, you'll always have it in your heart, eh?

My best friend, also named Abby, lost her first set of twins (this was her first pregnancy) when they were born prematurely. My heart goes out to your Abby and her family. God will surely bless her for being the loving person she is. The cakes and cupcakes looked wonderful, I am sure everyone enjoyed them very much.

JEN----you are trying to be modest....because YOU are the one who made the cakes and cupcakes!

They are so cute, and I'm so glad your friends had a great 1 year birthday for their boy. Sweet baby James really did a lot of good for people while he was here on earth (I just got back from reading his life-blog)

I'm truly touched (and bawling my eyes out) by the story and the beautiful tribute to this gorgeous child. How blessed he was in his short days to be surrounded by so much love. What a loss to this earth to be without his shining eyes any longer, but what a change he's made to everyone who has been touched by his story in such a short time here.

Thank you for the story about James. After I found your blog, I started reading James' blog as well. I feel like I know Abby, John, and James even though I will likely never have the pleasure of meeting this wonderful family.

One year ago today, my husband and I were married and I officially had the best day of my life. When I checked your blog this morning and followed the link to read about Sweet Baby James and his awesome journey, it brought tears to my eyes to realize that on the same day, little James and his family were celebrating his first and only birthday. Thanks for this tribute, and Abby, if you're reading, thank you for sharing this beautiful story!

This is for James' Mom and Dad, and all of his family:I do not remember when, how, or why I happened upon Sweet Baby James' story. It doesn't matter. I read through the whole of it hoping for a miracle, in spite of everything. Well, there WAS a miracle, because there was James. Someone with a smile like that- just for you- what else but a miracle. James lived love, in its purest essence. Only love like that can be felt simply from reading a story about someone you never knew. Crying hurts, but look up--baby angels don't cry. They laugh.Happy Birthday, James.

Beautiful cake Jen. I read James' blog and it brought me to tears. My youngest spent 6 weeks in that same NICU - that is a life-changing experience in itself. Such a beautiful baby boy and a wonderful tribute to him today.

Abby, thank you for sharing your story - James is, and always will be, a beautiful boy. I'm so glad that he had a wonderful first birthday. Your story made me cry - I've spent the whole morning reading your Sweet Baby James blog, and it reminded me just how truly blessed each and everyone of us truly is.

Thank you for posting this. It is very close to home with me. My son was born at 24 weeks gestation and also spent a total of 135 days in the hospital. Right now he is on a feeding tube and we are going to be celebrating his coming home day instead of his birthday this year.

This post reminded how truly lucky I am. Besides a few hiccups, my son is very healthy. My heart breaks for your friend. Her son was such a sweet baby and endured so much.

Wow, That was a great story Abby. Thank you for Sharing it. Sweet Baby James was a beautiful child. That cake was to die for. Why did you give it up, if you don't mind my asking?This is my first "Sunday Sweets" and it was the best article. Im sorry about James and his parent's but Im sure they are grateful for everyday they had with him.merin44...Erin's my real name

It's obvious from reading their website that James's parents are amazing people, who were up to the challenge of providing a very sick child with a life full of laughter and joy. May his joy continue to fill their lives now.

I'm a mom of a kiddo with special needs- I totally know what you mean about dying of joy if he actually ate any cake. I remember thinking how weird it was to be actually trying to TEACH my son to make messes with his food!What an awesome celebration for an awesome little boy!

I found Abby's blog a couple of months ago and have been touched by the family's faith and strength throughout everything. I found cake wreck's a while earlier and didn't know what the connection was until today. My son also died and when I need a smile through my tears I often look to see if another wreck has been posted. Thank you for the beautiful birthday cake you made for James and thank you for the many smiles you bring to me :)-rebekah

That was such a touching story and such beautiful cakes. I recognized the animals immediately, as I did the Whimsical Bakehouse safari cake for my own son's first birthday, which was 3 months after James' first birthday celebration. The story brought tears and reminded me how blessed I am. I will give my son an extra hug tonight and send a prayer for sweet baby James and his family. I hope they are able to remember his birthday with joy.Heather

What adorable cakes and cupcakes. James has the longest eyelashes I've ever seen, what a sweet little boy he was. I am so happy to read that his mom and dad are pregnant with baby #3. I hope everything is perfect.This makes me realize how fortunate I have been with my children, you take them for granted sometimes. Please tell them thank you for sharing James with us.

Abby's positive, life-affirming attitude is astoundingly inspirational. Thank you for sharing this with all of us...I went to James' blog and started to read, but couldn't get very far today. I'll try it again when tears aren't making everything blurry. :)

Cake wrecks has made me laugh out loud till my sides hurt...it's made me chuckle..and grin..Today it made me cry. God Bless James' family for sharing their story..and for obviously having such Grace during a time that is unimaginable as a parent.And I'm glad that cake baker started a blog instead! :)

I never thought reading Cake Wrecks would make me cry. I held it together until I got to the picture of James with his big smile and then I was gone. James was a beautiful boy, and it looks like he was loved a lot. Thanks for sharing the story. The cakes were awesome as well, and I was even more impressed when I read that Jen made them, you go girl!

today was our march for dimes walk and James is the reason we do it. We lost one of our triplets at 8 days old and we do everything we can to raise money. this year we raised $8300 for the March of Dimes so that no child should ever go through this. www.thekennedyboys.blogspot.com

Yesterday I celebrated my niece's 3rd birthday, not thinking at all of the children that hadn't made it that far. This morning, I spent 4 hours reading Sweet Baby James' blog. His story is weighing heavy on my heart. I won't soon forget his beautiful eyes, and all of the wonderful and not so wonderful ups and downs he endured during his short stay on this earth. Every moment is special. Every smile a keepsake. Thank you for reminding me.

Abby, you have my deepest condolences. My son was also premature, also spent time in the NICU, and also has special needs. (We still don't have a diagnosis.) You have lived through my worst nightmare with a grace I find hard to fathom. Thank you for sharing your beautiful little boy with us.

Jen, where were you when I didn't have a birthday cake for my son's first birthday, because he had just been diagnosed with food allergies? (I molded a sweet potato and stuck a candle in it!)

Since discovering your blog in January, I finish ever day by checking out Cake Wrecks to have a good laugh, so I did not expect to be in tears this evening. But I don't mind, for James is so sweet and beautiful and I am happy to be able to help honor his memory today. I too had a baby who died; he was five weeks old. That was almost seventeen years ago. Of course it is heartbreaking, but a strong faith and the support of friends and family gets one through. Abby, I am so glad that you were able to have a wonderful first birthday for James, and I am touched by your sharing today. These angel-babies are with us for such a short time, and yet when we share about their lives it sends ripples of love across the planet. We still celebrate our son, Gareth's birthday. Our family goes to the gravesite which is in a lovely secluded wooded cememtary, we have a picnic, and share cupcakes (not the dreaded CCC though!). We always leave one for him that I am sure the squirrles enjoy. We also use artist pastels/chalk to draw upon his gravestone. We all participate and over the years we have moved from brilliant scribbles to amazing pieces of art. This birthday celebration helps to keep his memory alive, especially for his siblings who were young or not even born at that time.Anyway, Happy Heavenly Birthday to James; love and hugs to Abby and her husband; and thanks Jen for a terrific Sunday Sweets!- Shannon

Thank you for sharing that with us. The best Sunday Sweet you've ever had. And James is such an adorable boy. I'm sure he is bringing smiles and joy into everyone around him, even if it isn't on this plane with us.

Abby & John, Such a beautiful blog to tell such a beautiful story. I am so inspired by your strength & faith. The Lord couldn't have picked anyone to tell that story better. Thank you so much for sharing. I pray that your story continues to touch lives & hearts!

What a touching story. James looks so happy, and such a beautiful cake! I hope his family can find comfort in knowing that the story of their precious son has touched the lives of so many through Cake Wrecks.This story really struck a chord with me, as my sister, Abigale, was 10 weeks premature, and had to eat with a feeding tube into her stomach for quite some time. Thank God, she is a happy, playful little girl, 4 1/2 years old.

A friend of mine told me to look at this website about a month after I lost my daughter. It was the first time I laughed since it happened. I am so grateful for this blog! I check this blog every day (sometimes more than once if it's a bad day) and often think of Lily when I do. What a beautiful post.

Search This Blog

Wreck the Halls

NEW! Pre-Order Today!

Buy the Book

Buy the NYT Bestseller

What's a Wreck?

What's a Wreck?

A Cake Wreck is any cake that is unintentionally sad, silly, creepy, inappropriate - you name it. A Wreck is not necessarily a poorly-made cake; it's simply one I find funny, for any of a number of reasons. Anyone who has ever smeared frosting on a baked good has made a Wreck at one time or another, so I'm not here to vilify decorators: Cake Wrecks is just about finding the funny in unexpected, sugar-filled places.

order

Where's the book?

We don’t have any copies of Cake Wrecks for sale here, autographed or otherwise. We decided the shipping and handling costs would be too high to make it worth your while. So instead, buy your copies locally or online and then order personalized bookplates: it’s cheaper, easier, and I think even looks a bit nicer.

Ordering Info

Payments must be made through Paypal, which accepts all major credit cards. Sorry, but that means no checks or MOs or barter-based chickens.

We ship everything first class USPS, and will do our best to have your package in the mail within 2 days of your order.